The Springboks will take on France in the quarter-finals at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. But who will they face in the semi-finals? Photo: SA Rugby website
Eben Etzebeth: Five things to know about the Springbok lock
Eben Etzebeth won the hearts of many when Springboks defeated France in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. Here’s what we know about him.
The Springboks will take on France in the quarter-finals at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. But who will they face in the semi-finals? Photo: SA Rugby website
Even though many got to know Eben Etzebeth a whole lot better when the Springboks faced Rugby World Cup 2023 hosts France in their thrilling quarter-final, the gentle giant needs no introduction as he is widely regarded as the enforcer of Springbok rugby.
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The Springbok lock is part of the squad selected for the highly-anticipated semi-final against England on Saturday, 21 October.
WHO IS EBEN ETZEBETH?
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The 31-year-old, who stands 2.04m and weighs 119kg was born in Cape Town in the Western Cape.
Etzebeth was first capped against England in 2012. Since then, he has been a regular as he has played over 100 games for the Springboks. He is just nine caps short of Victor Matfield’s South Africa record of 127.
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Etzebeth recently became the youngest player to achieve a century of Test matches for South Africa, and he capped the occasion by scooping the man of the match award in the 30-14 win against Wales at Newlands.
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He is married to actress and singer Anlia van Rensburg. The two tied the knot in February this year at the La Paris Estate in Franschhoek in the Western Cape.
Etzebeth was singled out as a player of huge promise from an early age when playing for Hoerskool Tygerberg.
He entered the Western Province youth structures in 2009, featuring in the Under-18 Craven Week tournament.
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In 2011, his career moved up a gear when he was part of the UCT Ikey Tigers side which won the Varsity Cup that season.
He was named in the Stormers squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season.
Etzebeth played 61 matches for the Stormers between 2012 and 2019.
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During that period, he also sent time in Japan, played eight matches for the NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes.
Etzebeth left South Africa for a three-year stint in France where he represented Toulon on 40 occasions between 2019 and 2022.
He was then lured back to South Africa and currently plays his provincial rugby for the Sharks in Durban.
